Maddux is Rangers' Biggest Free Agent

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ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 28: Yu Darvish #11 of the Texas Rangers talks with pitching coach Mike Maddux #31during the third inning against the Oakland Athletics at Globe Life Park in Arlington on April 28, 2014 in Arlington, Texas.

The Texas Rangers have a few guys who are set to become free agents when the World Series ends, and while their biggest name player is probably starting pitcher Yovani Gallardo, there isn't much expectation, or really even desire by the Rangers, to bring him back at the hefty price he'll be able to demand after a really solid 2015 season.

But Gallardo's coach, Rangers' pitching coach Mike Maddux, is a free agent, as well, and there is no question the team wants him back.

This isn't the first go-around at free agency since Maddux arrived in Texas in 2008. He's been a managerial candidate and now is likely a candidate to be a pitching coach elsewhere, or possibly even a manager depending on what opens up.

Last week when the Rangers announced bullpen coach Andy Hawkins and hitting coach Dave Magadan wouldn't return, they also announced every other coach was invited to return in 2016, but that doesn't mean they have to.

Maddux has made the Rangers' pitching staff not such a joke since he arrived after years of offensive fireworks and no pitching before he came on board. According to the Star-Telegram, he's expressed an interest to stay in Arlington, as he and his wife own a home in the area and he also has two daughters in the area, too.

The Rangers have been to the postseason four times and played a tiebreaking Game 163 in Maddux’s seven seasons with the team, and a lot of that success has had to do with the pitching staff. In his time with the Rangers, the team has a staff ERA of 4.06, which is in the top half of the American League.